title: Knowledge of ischemic stroke risk factors and warning signs after a health education program by medical students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A delay in recognizing early warning signs (WS) and risk factors (RF) of ischemic stroke causes a delay in treatment. We evaluated knowledge of RF and WS and the impact of an educational program by medical students.
  
  
  METHODS
  We first surveyed individuals to determine knowledge of WS and RF. Then, after a 6-month education program, knowledge was reassessed. The questionnaire included sociodemographic and comorbidity data. A χ(2) and Mann-Whitney U test, as well as a multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine variables associated with knowledge, were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We performed 329 baseline and 355 posteducation surveys. Initially, 57.1% mentioned at least 1 RF; this later increased to 65.9%. Mentions of obesity, dyslipidemias, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus increased significantly. With regard to WS, 37.6% mentioned at least 1, which increased to 48.1% who mentioned weakness in 1 limb, in half the body, severe headache, and altered vision. Educational level (OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.42-4.53; P=0.001), employment (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.08-2.74; P=0.021), a family history of brain infarction (OR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.35-4.11; P=0.02), obesity (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.026-2.6; P=0.038), and having received information in the last 6 months (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.51-4.83; P=0.001) were associated with a better understanding of RF and WS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The educational program was cost-effective and had a positive impact on knowledge of RF and WS of ischemic stroke. More education programs are required to improve knowledge of ischemic stroke.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Neurología, Hospital Universitario Dr. José Eleuterio González, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Av. Francisco I. Madero s/n, Colonia Mitras Centro, Monterrey, Nuevo León, 64460, México.
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez-Jiménez
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Góngora-Rivera
authors.forename: Héctor R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: Juan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Escamilla-Garza
authors.forename: Héctor Jorge
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Villarreal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult